SPACE (Sussex Parents of Autistic Children Etc.) was set up in 2024 by staff members with autistic children. It's a group that allows parents and guardians at the University who care for children with neurodivergent needs to share experiences, offload, share tips, network, and celebrate your children.
Monthly meetings take place in person or online, and over the past couple of years they have become an important breathing space for members who can often feel alone with the challenges of parenting in their specific context. They have also proven to be a valuable source of guidance for those attempting to navigate the education, care and benefits bureaucracies.
We asked members to share their thoughts on what SPACE means to them. Click the graphic below to read what they said:
If you’d like to find out more SPACE or come to a meeting, please feel free to email Sean Armstrong or Claudia Raistrick for a chat.
On Wednesday 11 November, SPACE will welcome Dr Jane Cuomo, Educational Psychologist at Brighton & Hove Inclusion Support Service (BHISS), to run a workshop for SPACE members - and any member of staff - about demand avoidance in young people.
BHISS is a multi-disciplinary council team that supports children and young people (aged 0 to 25) with special educational needs and disabilities across local schools, nurseries, and colleges.
The National Autistic Society defines demand avoidance this as 'a persistent and marked resistance to demands is a characteristic experienced by and observed in some autistic people. It can impact essential needs like eating and sleeping, and expectations such as going to school or work, and has implications for diagnosis and support.'
Please join us in the School for Progressive Futures Room (University Library) from 10am-11am on Wednesday 11 November to share, learn and support each other at the workshop. All members of staff are welcome.